This story may soon appear in national newspapers. We heard it from Rabbi Mendy and Devorah Leah Mathless who run the University Heights Chabad adjacent to Albany Medical Center and Bikur Cholim services to patients and families at this major regional hospital and trauma center. Over this couple’s Albany stay, the Mathless’ as well as Raizy and others were helpful in providing Kosher meals etc.
About a week ago or so parents in Denver were called that their son was in a major accident, was brought to Albany Medical Center and at the time it was unknown if he would make it. Hearing this news they rushed to the Denver Airport and tried to book the first flight they could to Albany. Southwest does have direct flights from Denver to Albany, they booked the flight, rushed through security, made their way to the gate – but just missed the flight. It took off moments before they got to the gate.
They explored their options, they looked at the soonest flights available, perhaps they could fly elsewhere and make connecting flights, get a light to New York and Boston and drive 3 hours to Albany… they didn’t know how much time they had and they wanted to make it to be with their son.
Just then someone came out of Southwest Operations and said they should wait at the gate – the plane is coming back!
The couple couldn’t believe it. A plane turning back after take-off!? But they were anxious, how would all the passengers feel about coming back to pick up two passengers? The delay, the hassle, they were awkward about it. But the stewardess walked them onto the returned plane, found them their seats, there was zero fuss, and the flight took off again for Albany.
The father couldn’t help but ask the person in the seat next to him: “What did they tell you? How did they explain why the plane was turning back to Denver?”
Their fellow passenger told them: The pilot got on the mic and said what you were going through. He said if it were my son I’d want the plane to go back. But I have to ask the passengers, should we turn back to pick them up? And the whole plane shouted as one: “Go Back!”
Thankfully their son took an incredible turn for the better and we’re happy to share he was discharged after about a week of care and is going home with them!
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Two takeaways from the story (aside for the obvious testament of empathy by a full plane of travelers…) especially for students beginning a new year at college or coming to college for the first time:
We’re all pilots of all our own destiny. We’re charting our course through the ups and downs, takeoffs and landings, across the vast expanse, all the ports of call in our lives. But we’re not flying solo. This pilot was able to do what he did because he had the backing and encouraging support of family and community. We’re not alone. On campus we each do our own thing but we’re better when we’re connected to community, when we have others along for the ride, backing us up.
It’s not a small thing that the plane was quiet when they boarded. Everyone somehow understood that it was best that no fuss be made, no clapping, no cheers. Just quiet. To paraphrase the Talmud, sometimes we’re credited for what we say (as in the “Go Back!”) and sometimes its for what we don’t say. Same for college years: Our experience is shaped by what we choose to do, and also by what we choose not to do. Both things.